Spc Samuel T. Watts, 20, of Wheaton, Ill., died May 19, in Bethesda, Md., of wounds sustained April 25, in Zharay, Afghanistan, when he was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

He was born August 14, 1991 in Elmhurst, IL. Sam attended elementary and junior high at St. John Lutheran School in Wheaton, IL and graduated from Wheaton North High School.

He was known as a man who could be himself around anybody and loved the people around him. He loved adventure and was constantly moving. In his short time here he lived a full life.

He is survived by his parents, Thomas and Susan Watts of Wheaton, IL; three siblings, Sarah Watts of Springfield, IL, Andrew Watts of Wheaton, IL, and Abigail Watts of Wheaton, IL; his paternal grandmother, Ruth Watts of Addison, IL; his maternal grandfather, Paul J. Keehn of Arlington Heights, IL; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

[The Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, FL, Sun, May 27, 2012, Main Edition, Page A10]

[courtesy of "Ruth"]

Grave marker for Samuel T. Watts in Wheaton Cemetery, Wheaton (DuPage county), Illinois.

Samuel was wounded in action in Zharay, Afghanistan on 25 April 2012 when he was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device.

He was transported to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD for medical treatment. However, he succumbed to his wounds on 19 May 2012.